Jimmie Johnson's 2009 NASCAR Championship Hopes
Jimmie Johnson Attempts Four Consecutive Cup Series Championships
Jan 13, 2009
There is no one, right now, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that knows how to win championships better than Jimmie Johnson. With his crew chief Chad Knaus, it seems that this Hendrick Motorsports team is unbeatable. However, this season Johnson and his team will attempt something that no other driver has accomplished, a fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup series title.
Only three drivers in history have earned more championships than Johnson, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, and racing legends Dale Earnhardt and The King, Richard Petty. With the potential of this history-making season Johnson has a lot to overcome in order to stand alone in the history books.
Johnson's own stable may offer the biggest challenge to his four-peat. Mark Martin will be joining the Hendrick stable in a bid for the championship that has eluded him. His two other teammates, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also have something to prove and while Gordon will attempt his fifth championship, Dale Jr is seeking his first in the top series. All three of these drivers are looking to overthrow the reigning champion to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Jimmie's teammates aren't the only ones who will try to stand in the way of his history making run. Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman will be starting the series in a new ride at Stewart-Haas Racing. With Tony Stewart as part owner and driver he has a lot to lose and even more to prove. There is also the rest of the 43 car field, that include 2008 runner up Carl Edwards and past champion Matt Kenseth, who every season attempt the next to impossible, scoring the championship trophy.
It isn't those accomplished drivers that Johnson may be sweating the most in the off season. The rookie contenders with lots to learn and no room for error could make or break his season. Then there are parts failures and bad luck which are also expected in this sport but are often the silent killer of championship dreams.
The biggest thing that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus have going for them is the ability to keep a level head when things go wrong. In a sport where just about anything can go wrong, remaining calm in the face of disaster can mean a top 10 finish instead of coming in last place. It is that kind of fortitude that allows consistency which is why Johnson and his team are in the position to win their fourth consecutive title and earn themselves a place in NASCAR Spring Cup series history books.
